The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1887-04-22
SIN, you can brag, bat not perform,


eh.'
This blunt reply stung me. 1t was
quite unlike the Brooks of my school days.
| used to pride myself on superior force.
1t would never do to let him find me lack
ing nerve, or my old ascendency would
vanish wholly. SO promptly rose again.
''Why, / can received the delegation if
you really want me to Brooks, but
"All right Chug, you may receive them.
Treat them we'll. That will give me time
to so over this paper, and | must do it
before noon"
was somewhat agitated. 70 confront
these fellows face to face grew every in
slant more disagreeaDle to me. For two
years had rusted in the mines. Proba-
bly, this delegation contained preachers,
lawyers, praeticed spokesman, to answer
whom would require more than mere au-
dacity But Harold stood looking on per-
picked, and Brook himself was pcering up
from his papers with covert smile. put
Il bold face on it.
hCiC. lidiOiti me- II put thtHc ClitiHS III
the private ROOM" And | seized an arm
chair in each hand Harold looked at
Brooks with establishment and protest.
''You will need the chairs, Of course, ."
he said
mo, I'll make 'em stand. I'll soon get
rid OF the prison delegation, | cried EN-
phatically. Brooks nodded, and Harold I'M
willingly joined in removing every chair to
the inner apartment, save the ones which
Brooks and had occupied.
Now bring en-, said |, and while
Harold was gone threw off my coat, un-
tied my neck band. put my watch in open
sight upon the desk, and look pen,
freshly dipped il ink,
''lll let these fellows know that time is
precious" | said, decisively, looking
down at Brooks.
The door opening from the ante-room
swung ON its hinges. Harold appeared mp
on the threshold. lie gave a look Of dis
may as he saw me in my shrt-sleeves, but
stood erect and firm. There was a rust
ling of silks, a prophetic fragrance, soft
murmurins voices, and then a beyy of
ladies flowed suddenly into the room. |
stared dumlounded.
..Great -. er-ladies.' i.
| dropped my pen, spranG to my coat,
and plunged my arms frcnziedly into the
sleeves.
Excuse me, ladies, Il, had forgot
ten tho, sex of your delegation, it
is such a hot day.
fumbled my neektie. The horrible
fear came over that had failed to comb
my hair that morning. Mother accused
me Of rank neglect since my return from
Colorado. But | caught sight of dis
tracted phantom i'll the mirror; happily,
my hair, though somewhat browsy, bore
suggestions of combing.
"Governor, said Harold sravely, Let
me introduce Mrs. Minor the head of the
delegation.
Now l ought to have bowed in stately
way and said: Madame, | anu happy to
meet you and to find that prison reform en-
lists advocates Mt once 50 fair and capa-
ble.''
But / did not say this. observed that
Mrs. Minor was a tail, matronly lady, with
gray hair, Roman features and pale COM
plexion, very stylishly dressed in black,
with white lace about her throat and
wrists. observed that her companions
were most elderly, well-brc,l, iastcfully at
tired, selfposscsscd and cminently lady
like. At the rear were some younger wo-
black eyes, wearing a bread -brimmed hat,
with 4 rich red plume, and brocadcd
dark red velvet dress, with 4 prOlusion of
ribbons She looked demurely over the
shoulders Of her companions directly into
my eyes, and |, but just returned from
such long exile, unused to feminine
proximity, was instantly bereft Of all
senses.
stood irresolute. Mrs. Minor also
stood moment hesitating. Then as |
made hating movement forward she
held ont her slovcd hand, which shook
awkwardly.
1--WE ought to be old friends, said |,
glancing at Brooks, who buried his head i'll
documents, while his chair shook suspic-
iousiy, ''for | was miner myself until"
The appalling reflection that in my im-
pcrsonation as Governor all reference to
my Colorado experience was out of place,
now .ripped the remark. added, to
complete the sentence: ntil became of
age
Brooks glanced up with agony in his
face, a look which copjured me whatever
else | did by all the gods not to profane his
identity through such abhorrcnt puns.
Mrs. Minor introduced her companions
to me. Mrs. Griffin, Miss Mink, Mrs.
Qualter;" and she went through the
group, standing a little aside so as to keep
the ladies and myself in our respective
places. | felt perspiration trickle over my
brow as | bowed 10 Miss Mulwine, the
brunette, who was the last one presented.
A desperate desire to do something gal
liant cana over me.
Take seats, ladies; sit down. En-
Harold, where are the chairs, sir. The
chairs ought always to be here
Harold winked, put one hand over his